Kansas opens Great Bend transload facility

Kansas state and Watco Cos. LLC officials yesterday marked the opening of a new transload facility in Great Bend.

Great Bend was selected for the site in 2015 and construction began in July 2016. The facility is served by Watco Cos.' Kansas and Oklahoma Railroad.

The facility currently is used to store wind energy components and will be ready for aggregate and cement within the next month, according to a Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) press release.

"Freight plays an important role in moving the state economy, and this transload facility is already providing infrastructure that will benefit the community and increase opportunities for freight shipping and cost effectiveness," said KDOT Secretary Richard Carlson.

KDOT contributed $3 million in state funds to the $8 million project for new rail construction. An additional $360,000 in federal funds will be used to improve the rail crossing at U.S. Highway 56. Remaining funds for the project were contributed by private industry.In addition to Watco, private partners for the project include Sherwood Cos., Fuller Properties and the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development.